Thomas silliman



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IMPROVED ANIMAL-TRAP.

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TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that I, Tnonms SILLIMAN, of Three Rivers, in the county of.St. Joseph, and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in AnimaLTraps, of.which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, which make part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 represents a plan or top view of my improved trap,

Figure 2 a vertical longitudinal central section.th1'ougl1 the same, at the line a: m of'fig. 1, and

Figure 3 a vertical transverse section, at the line if y of fig. 1. To carry out my invention, I construct a box, A, of suitable size and material, having a turn-table or trap door, B, on top, turning on pivots, b, and so arranged as to remain balanced in a horizontal position. This table always tips or turns in the direction indicated by the arrow in fig. 3, being prevented from turning the other way by a balanced stop-lever, O, underneath it. A spring, D, also holds up the tipping side of the table until.

the proper moment for its release. The table makes a half turn each time it is sprung, so that the bottom becomes the top, and vice oersa. The bait E is placedon a bifurcated lever, e, pivoted on the table so as to play slightly horizontally. The fork-of this lever embraces the spring D, which has a shoulder upon it. A friction-roller, F, on which the lever e moves, is mounted on a. bearing-pin,f, which projects into a notch out in the edge of the table, and rests on the shoulder of the spring D. A device, similar to the one described, is arranged on the under opposite side of the turntable, so that, when it turns over, the under one may occupy the place of the other. A passage, G, leads from the box A to a cage, H, having a grating, I, at the far end. The bottom K of this cage tips on a pivot, k. A door, It, is hinged at top, so as to, lift or swing inwards into the cage. This door is placed at the point where the passage enters the cage, and has a small opening in it, for a purpose hereinafter described.

The following is a description of the working of the trap: The trap is properly baited, and set in-tlie position shown in the drawings. The animal springs upon the table B, and seizes the bait E, the slightest pull upon which causes the lever e to move sidewise on its friction-roller, and thus release the spring D, when the table 13 instantly revolves a half turn, precipitating the animal into the box A -As soon as the forks of lever e pass over the spring D, it resumes its former position, and, when the table has made its semi-revolution, the pinf strikes on the. shoulder of the'spring, and the trap is again set. A small ledge, 6, is formed on the upper tippingedge of each side of the table. If-the animal puts his feet on this ledge, his'w eight will tip the table even more quickly than it otherwise would. When the animal drops into the box A, he sees the light through the hole in the door It, and entersthe passage G. In practice, I prefer to make this passage much longer than it is shown in the drawings. The animal goes through the passage G, and pushes open the door it, (which closes after him,) and enters the cage H. He naturally goes to the grating I, when his weight causes the bottom K of the cage to open, and drops him into a vessel containing water, and drowns him. He may, if preferred, be-

retained in the trap by securing the bottom. I thus secure an effective, self-setting trap, and one'by which the animals can either be destroyed as fast as caught, or retained alive, as may be desired.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combinatiouwith the revolving table of the bait-lever, the holding spring D, and the friction-roller F, when all these parts are constructed and arranged as described for joint operation.

2. The combination of the-table, the bait-lever, and the holding-spring with the balanced stop=lever C, constructed, arranged, and operating as described.

3, The combination of the revolving table, the bait lever, the holding-spring, and the balanced stop-lever with the box A, the passsge G, the swinging door It, the cage H, and the tipping-fioor-K, when all these parts are constructed and arranged as described for joint operationi In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed'my name.

THOS. SILLIMAN.

Witnesses WM. GRIFFITHS,

Monsn', 

